MOSUL, Iraq, April 30, 2007  Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, are on the frontlines every day here in Mosul, Iraq, and have a mixture of emotions on the varied experiences in the second largest city in the country.

"The thing that makes me feel safe is when I hear the air support overhead. I know when we get pinned down, I can look up and hear those rockets and know the insurgents are going to pay for their damages."

U.S. Army Sgt. Jesse Aguilera

We are the first ones out after something happens, said Riverside, Calif.-native Pfc. Bryan Quintana, infantryman, 1st Platoon. We cover the whole west side of town.

The company has a wide variety of missions they perform. From escort missions to acting as a quick-reaction force, the soldiers are always ready to perform.

Our whole company gets ready to roll whenever something happens outside the wire, said Glendale, Ariz.-native Sgt. Jesse Aguilera, team leader of the 1st Platoon. We do everything from securing and searching targets to delivering camera equipment to local media outlets.

Despite the challenges and risks, Company A gets reminded why they are here every day and say they still feel safe out there because of the assets available to them.

The thing that makes me feel safe is when I hear the air support overhead, said Aguilera. I know when we get pinned down, I can look up and hear those rockets and know the insurgents are going to pay for their damages.

Despite the recent news about unit extensions, the soldiers remain focused and upbeat as they continue their mission.

We expected it to happen, said Columbus, Ohio-native Pfc. William Stockton, an infantryman. Instead of looking at the negative, you have to look at the positive  it gives us more time to prepare the Iraqis and allows us to be more effective.

The soldiers from this unit have a great pride in the job they are doing here and in their division heritage.

We are out here every day doing our jobs, said Stockton. Were not losing; were living the legend.

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